Pricking or aerating implement



June 2, 1936. w AV S 2,042,597

PRICKING OR AERATING IMPLEMENT Filed July 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a: 'NVENTOR'.

p1 Z .WILLI M HnRcRznvEs I w' ryu HTTOR H 51 June 2, 1936.

W. HARGREAVES PRICKING OR AERATING IMPLEMENT Filed July 6, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTO R'. WILLIHM HHRGREHVES FITT0RNEY W. HARGREAVES PRICKING OR AERATING IMPLEMENT June 2, 1936.

s sheets sheet 3 Filed July 6, 1935 mvauroa: wuuam HHRGREFNES HTTORNEY F/GJB.

Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE Application July 6, 1935, Serial No. 30,071 In Great Britain July 24, 1934 9 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the express purpose of pricking or aerating by substantially vertical penetration greens, lawns, land, and such like uses. Such apparatus is devised to work on an original principle for the purposes specifled, that is to say, an apparatus is utilized the body of which has a rolling motion and sustains prickers, or pricker bars and prickers are applied in connection with the rolling body of the apparatus which, in rolling and by successive action, automatically inserts and forces down the prickers into the ground and automatically withdraws the same in a manner to minimize tearing effect on the turf. Putting it another way, the centre of the apparatus or the axle of the rolling body (which is of substantial weight) is alternately raised or elevated following simple rolling motion to cause the rolling body to lift the prickers out of the ground, and is lowered to insert and force the prickers into the ground assisted by the weight of the rolling body.

Such a principle for the indicated purpose is believed to be novel and the apparatus makes use of a rolling body or rolling pricking unit of such a construction as will ensure the lowering and raising alternately of lateral sets of prickers, and of such a shape of rolling body as will allow the pricker elements to be forced substantially vertically into the ground by the full weight of the apparatus as it is rolled over the ground, and thereafter pulled out of the ground substantially vertically, all to minimize risk of tearing the turf.

If this be considered, it will be appreciated that a heavy rolling body provided with prickers can furnish this action if the structure which rolls on the ground is of such a shape or nature as to rise and fall or to cause its axle to rise and fall in constant succession.

A simple example will indicate the principle.

If two end or otherwise disposed members of (for example) square contour and rounded at the corners be mounted to turn on an axle or shaft to be pulled or pushed manually or otherwise through provided shafts or other means, and.

if substantial spacers interconnect the two end members from rounded corner to corner upon which the structure can roll, it will be seen that a rolling body is produced the axle or shaft of which is raised and lowered four timesfor each complete revolution. If now pricker bars with prickers mounted on them are arranged equi-distant from the spacers so that the prickers. project say at right-angles to the flats, it will be appreciated that, when the structurev rolls, the spacers rolling around solid with the body, means at one mo-.

ment the axle or shaft is elevated, andthis is followed by the succeeding fiat being gradually lowered with the due insertion of the prickers, which operation finishes with the flat bearing on the ground and the axle or shaft in its lowest 5 position. The next spacer comes into action, and plucks the prickers on the pricker bar in question out of the ground, and so on. I have merely indicated the end members as square, but same can be of any other approved contour which will allow the axle or shaft to move up and down during rolling action for the purpose of inserting and withdrawing the prickers.

When using long prickers the pricker supports can be arranged to automatically feather to ensure the best disposition when same are ready to enter the turf.

For the purpose of setting forth the nature and scope of the invention, simple and more complex structures are dealt with, but the underlying principle is present in the several arrangements hereafter described and illustrated in the accompany-, ing drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in end elevation a simple apparatus with square rolling body furnished withspacers and with pricker bars to carry prickers.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 indicates a hexagonal rolling body with spacers and pricker bars carrying prickers.

Fig. 4 indicates an elliptical rolling body with pricker bars and prickers.

Figs. 5 and 6 show an arrangement of twosquare rolling or unit bodies (with prickers) side by side, each unit being free to rise or fall inde- -pendently of the other.

Figs. 7 and 8 show in side elevation and plan a tandem arrangement of two square rolling bodies (with prickers) out of step.

Figs. 9 and 10 are side and front views of a square rolling body with prickers, the rolling body mounted in a wheeled carriage.

Fig. 11 is a detail of a catch arrangement.

Figs. 12 and 13 are side and plan views of a tandem arrangement of square rolling bodies with prickers mounted in a wheeled carriage.

Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are views showing a way of mounting the supports for the prickers sothat same can swivel in order to permit the prickers to feather.

Figs. 1'7, 18 and 19 are views showing another 50 way of. mounting the supports for the prickers so that same can swivel in order to permit the prickers to feather.

Fig. 20 is a detail view on the line I-I, Fig. 17.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a square rolling body a is indicated, shown as consisting of end plates b with spacing bars 0, provided with prickers or spikes d, (1 The spikes d in the corner spacer bars 0 are shown as short spikes. An axle 8 passes through the end plates 1) and on this axle is fixed a handle frame-work f. Wheels 9 can be provided which are intended to fit upon two axle pins f j on the handle frame-work f or can be disposed on the ends of the axle c. When mounted on the pins f the wheels 9' can be lowered to the ground by acting on the handle framework f and the wheels serve to elevate the rolling body a so that same serve for turning the rolling body a about. Similarly, when the wheels g are mounted on the ends of the axle 6 they serve for transporting the rolling body a over a distance.

In Fig. 3 the rolling body marked a is of hexagonal shape in end view, and the prickers d on the spacing bars are shown disposed as to one set to each of the six faces. 7

In Fig. 4 the rolling body marked a is elliptical seen in end view and has laterally arranged prickers d. In the examples Figs. 3 and 4 a suitable handle frame-work and transport wheels may be provided as is obvious, this having already been dealt with as regards Figs. 1 and 2.

Respecting. the arrangement shown 'at Figs. 5 and 6, two square unit structures a, a with prickers d, d on laterally arranged spacing bars are shown 'mounted side by side, a circular aperture existing in each end plate b of the rolling bodies as shown at M. A handle frame-work f is provided withanti-friction sleeve I located in the circular apertures e As a consequence both unit rolling bodies can be pulled or pushed together to impart a rotary motion whilst either unit can move independently up or down.

In Figs. '7 and 8 there is shown two square rolling units marked a. coupled in tandem and arranged out of step. The one unit has a handle from f mounted on its axle. Upon said axle are also mounted side plates h free to swivel on said axle. There is an axle carried by said swivel plates h upon which the second square rolling unit a with its prickers is mounted. The two rolling units a, a are set out of step and are coupled by a chain 1' and chain wheels i F.

The Figs-9, l0 and 11 show an approved arrangement wherein the square rolling body a is mounted on an axle e fixed in braced support plates 9' which plates have trundling wheels 7' or such like mounted on an axle, thus providing a carriage for the rolling body 11.. There is a handle frame-work f pivoted at I which can be disposed either in the dotted position Fig. 9 or the full line position Fig. 9 and used for pushing or pulling the apparatus. When it is desired to transport the apparatus, Figs. 9and 10, and to raise the rolling body a clear of the ground, the pivoted catches 7' (the bored bosses of which can slide upon the tie-bar 1' are moved laterally from the position shown in Fig. 9 and the projecting fingers i turned down and moved under the bars of the handle frame-work F, that is, same is caused to occupy the position seen in Fig. 11. As a consequence, it the handle framework (shown in full lines Fig. 9) is pressed down, its shaft-like members will bear on the projecting fingers and the support plates or carriage will turn with or about the axle of the wheels and the rolling body a will be raised and held from the ground for transport or turning round. The dotted lines handle frame-work in Fig. 9 indicates that the apparatus may be arranged to be pushed instead of being pulled.

The Figs. 12 and 13 show a similar arrangement to that described with reference to Figs. 9 to 11, but in this case the support plates j support two rolling pricking units a coupled in tandem. The handle frame-work f and the catch gear 7' is similar to what has already been described with reference to Figs. 9, and 11. Both rolling pricking units a are mounted on axles in the support plates y' and are coupled together by chain 1' and chain wheels i 1?.

Figs. 14 to 20 show arrangements which permit the bars carrying the prickers to swivel either due to the action of springs or by cam mechanism. Referring in the first place to Figs. 14, 15 and 16, the renewable prickers d are shown as clamped by bolts 1 between spaced bars I, 1 which are fixed by fastening means I in recessed end bosses Z which have trunnions Z fashioned therewith. These recessed end bosses are chambered out on the external face and co-operate with bored bosses l on the end structures b of the square rolling body. Coiled springs l are provided one bent end engaging an end boss 1 and the other bent end engaging the bored boss 1 The action of the springs is to ensure the prickers being turned into a suitable position to enter the ground as each comes into operation. The prickers having entered the ground, the tendency is to turn the springs and put a tension thereon, so that when the prickers carried upon any of the swivelling bars emerge from the ground the springs have a tendency to turn the pricker bar somewhat as is shown in the top left-hand corner of Fig. 16 thus ensuring the prickers being disposed in a suitable position for the descent of the prickers towards the ground as is represented at the top right-hand corner Fig. 16. Stops 1' limit the turning movement of the pricker bars, the same engaging projections Z Instead of using springs to turn the swivelling bars between which the prickers are clamped, their movement may be controlled by a cam motion such as is indicated by the Figs. 14 and onwards. In such case a cam m is mounted on and fixed to the fixed axle e and this cam has twohorns m m On each pricker bar two legs 11), n are mounted. As the square body is rolled around and the prickers are lifted from the ground, the leg n is first acted upon by the cam m and thereafter the leg 11 bears on the cam m and rides thereon. This action causes the prickers d to ultimately assume the position shown at the top right-hand corner Fig. 16 so that they descend with a proper disposition to enter the ground.

The Figs. 1'7 to 20 show a modified clamping arrangement for removably fixing the prickers in position in the pricker bars, and also a modified spring arrangement for giving the necessary angular movement to the pricker bars on emerging from the ground.

The prickers d have their shanks located in holes in the pricker bar structure 0. A plate d with projections fits to the pricker bar structure and is held by bolts d The plate (1* has projections d which engage holes bored in the pricker bar 0 in such a manner that when the plate (1 is clamped by the bolts d the shanks of the prickers d are firmly held. In this example the trunnions o of the pricker bar 0 are passed through bosses 0 on the square end members b of the rolling body. A peg 0 projects from the trunnion 0 There is a cap 11 fixed on the trunnion o by a cross-pin p This cap p is bored to produce an annular cavity in which is located a coiled spring r. This coiled spring 1' is confined between the peg 0 on the trunnion o and a peg o projecting at right-angles from the boss 0 When the prickers on a descending bar enter the ground, the springs r are compressed, whilst when the prickers emerge from the ground, the springs act on the trunnions o of the pricker bar and so cause the prickers to turn whereby feathering of the prickers results as already explained and as is illustrated with reference to the last described modification by the Figs. 17

It will be found that with pricking rollers as set forth herein and which are shaped, mounted, provided with prickers and operated sothat the distance of the centre of the heavy body supporting the prickers varies as it rolls over the ground, that with prickers of ordinary length the same penetrate the ground more easily and are withdrawn more readily than with similar sized prickers on a truly cylindrical roller and with considerably less tendency to tear the turf. If longer prickers are used, then it will be found that feathering provision such as described with reference to Fig. 14 onwards to Fig. is advantageous.

I declare that what I claim is:

1. An apparatus for pricking or aerating turf by substantially vertical penetration comprising a rotatable heavy body, means to roll same over the ground and distinguished in that the rotatable heavy body is itself of a non-circular shape so that its centre rises and falls alternately during rolling action, said non-circular rolling heavy body having properly located prickers applied thereto which during operation it inserts substantially vertically into the ground, and plucks out substantially vertically, all with the object of assisting insertion and withdrawal of the prickers and to minimize tearing of the turf.

2. An apparatus for pricking or aerating turf by substantially vertical penetration comprising a rotatable heavy body, said body carrying lateral supports attached to said rotatable heavy body and furnished with prickers, and operable means associated with said rotatable heavy body to act on and roll said body over the ground, said rotatable heavy body being of such a shape and the prickers so disposed that during rolling action the distance of the centre of the rolling weighted body from the ground varies whereby the prickers are inserted substantially vertically and plucked out substantially vertically to minimize tearing of the turf.

3. An apparatus for pricking or aerating turf by substantially vertical penetration by means of a rotatable heavy body as claimed in claim 1 and distinguished in that said rotatable heavy body is carried upon a framework movable upon wheels, said framework and wheels being adapted to support the rotatable heavy body during transport, as well as when operating upon the turf, and haulage shaft provision for the framework.

4. An apparatus for pricking or aerating turf by substantially vertical penetration, comprising a plurality of rotatable heavy bodies, means to support same during transport and rotation over the. ground, and distinguished in that the rolling heavy bodies are themselves of a non-circular shape and have prickers located in the heavy bodies so that the prickers during rotation of the rotatable heavy body are inserted substantially vertically into the turf and plucked out substantially vertically to minimize tearing of the turf.

5. Apparatus for pricking and aerating greensward as claimed in claim 1 and distinguished in that the rolling weighted body is carried upon an axle in a framework, said framework having trundling wheels, hauling means to move the framework and rotate the rolling weighted body, and locking catches to act on the hauling means whereby the rolling weighted body can be transported on the trundling wheels out of contact with the ground.

6. Apparatus for pricking and aerating greensward as claimed in claim 4 and distinguished in that a plurality of rolling weighted bodies are carried on a framework, trundling wheels on said framework, gear to interconnect the rolling weighted bodies, means to haul the rolling Weighted bodies and catches to act on the hauling means to enable the rolling weighted bodies to be raised out of action and transported on the trundling wheels.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and distinguished in that the weighted rolling body has pricker bars with prickers located in bars said bars adapted to swivel, means to cause said bars to swivel, and means to limit the swivelling movement of said bars whereby the prickers are caused to feather as the weighted rolling body rolls over the ground.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having a, weighted rolling body carrying bars adapted to swivel in the weighted rolling body said bars adapted to clamp the prickers, said clamping bars co-operating with and being acted on by springs whereby the prickers are caused to feather as the weighted rolling body rolls over the ground. 1

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and having a weighted rolling body carrying bars adapted to receive prickers and to swivel in the weighted rolling body, said bars having tail pieces adapted to be acted upon by a cam device whereby the prickers are caused to feather as the weighted rolling body is rolled over the ground.

WILLIAM HARGREAVES. 

